State Rep. Cavanagh announces he's running for Wayne County executive

Mar. 4, 2014

Rep. Philip Cavanagh

Written by

Detroit Free Press Staff Writer

State Rep. Phil Cavanagh officially announced Monday that he’s running for Wayne County executive this year.

Cavanagh made the announcement at an event in the lobby of the Fisher Building.

Cavanagh, 52, had been critical of current Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano for much of the second half of 2013, and announced in December that he was forming an exploratory committee.

“Wayne County must realize and deal with the harsh reality that no one is going to come to our rescue,” he said. “We must make the tough decisions now or the state will come in and do it for us.”

He said he was encouraged to run by friends and supporters, and touts the experience and relationships built during time spent as a county commissioner and state representative. He is the son of Jerome Cavanagh, who was mayor of Detroit from 1962-1970.

“For too long now, our region has squandered time and opportunities by electing those who have put political priorities before progress, public safety and the public trust,” he said in a news release ahead of Monday night’s event. “Wayne County deserves better. It's time we realize that we all rise up together or we fail together. Even when leadership is strong and effective, real leadership requires listening and working for all, not only a select few.

“Wayne County has the resources and the people to be great — if we make the tough decisions while focusing on long-term solutions, and, not just on fleeting headlines.”

Cavanagh joins a field slowly becoming crowded with contestants critical of Ficano for the nearly $225 million in debt that has built up under his watch, as well as a federal investigation into the county government and current lawsuits with the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office and the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office over funding. Westland Mayor Bill Wild announced his candidacy in January, and Wayne County Commissioner Kevin McNamara announced last month.

While Ficano has not said whether he intends to seek re-election, many felt his State of the County address in February was a stump speech in several regards.

Polls have indicated another term would be a hard sell for the county executive. In October, Ficano was last among five potential contenders for the office, including former Detroit Mayor Dave Bing, Cavanagh, Wild and McNamara in a poll by Target Insyght of Lansing.